Brett Deacon says that a run of three consecutive Premiership Cup defeats will have no bearing on how Leicester Tigers prepare for Friday night's clash with Gloucester as the Gallagher Premiership returns to centre stage.

Tigers were beaten 18-16 by Sale Sharks in their third group game in the cup in what was a scrappy affair played in driving rain.

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"Pressure will be how it is normally in the Premiership," said Deacon, Tigers defence coach. "I don't think we will feel any more pressure after this competition moving back into the Premiership

"We have rotated so many bodies for this competition so we haven't had the combinations working together as much. Next week is a different challenge. It is a completely different competition - they are night-and-day different in terms of how well we will play next week."

Deacon said discipline cost his side against the Sharks. They fell to a late penalty try but could hardly argue that the visitors didn't deserve their win after dominating the second half.

"Conditions played a huge part," Deacon said. "It was very scrappy with a lot of mistakes from both sides."

"Our team defence was outstanding, our speed to get set and get off the line and make individual tackles was right where it needs to be, that is the pleasing thing.

Rob Du Perez kicks for Sale Sharks (Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

"Not so pleasing is our discipline. We gave away too many penalties in different areas of the game from set-piece to some defensive stuff.

"Discipline was a key factor around territory. I thought we did well to come in leading at half-time and were on task."

A definite plus was the return to action of forward Mike Fitzgerald, who went on as a second-half replacement having recovered from a lengthy knee injury which has kept him on the sidelines this term.

"It is really good to see Mike back," Deacon said. "He has been out for a while. He is really fit and got out there in the second half.

"He stood out for me as a good lesson for everyone who has a long-term injury. The work he did to get back fit was second to none."